Media Literacy In The Social Studies Classroom: Applying 21 st Century Literacy & Inquiry Frank W. Baker Media educator

Influence of images “Still photos and TV images are what sway people…..at the end of the day, people retain very simple images in their minds when they’re not really engaged or focused on an issue.” Jane Arraf, former CNN Bureau Chief “Still photos and TV images are what sway people…..at the end of the day, people retain very simple images in their minds when they’re not really engaged or focused on an issue.” Jane Arraf, former CNN Bureau Chief

What’s really important Nearly 77% of those polled could name each of the Seven Dwarfs Only 24% could name 2 of the 9 US Supreme Court judges Nearly 77% of those polled could name each of the Seven Dwarfs Only 24% could name 2 of the 9 US Supreme Court judges Zogby Poll Week of August 12, 2006

New media & politics User-driven community sites (MySpace; FaceBook; You Tube) are to this year's races what blogs were to campaigns two years ago. They are not replacements for traditional staples like TV ads and direct mailings, but they offer the latest venues for campaigns to reach younger voters and mobilize them to volunteer. Source AP News Story August 20 User-driven community sites (MySpace; FaceBook; You Tube) are to this year's races what blogs were to campaigns two years ago. They are not replacements for traditional staples like TV ads and direct mailings, but they offer the latest venues for campaigns to reach younger voters and mobilize them to volunteer. Source AP News Story August 20

Critical thinking “Adolescents need to learn how to integrate knowledge from multiple sources, including music, video, online databases and other media. They need to think critically about information….they need to participate in the kinds of collaboration that new communication and information technologies enable, but increasingly demand.” “Adolescents need to learn how to integrate knowledge from multiple sources, including music, video, online databases and other media. They need to think critically about information….they need to participate in the kinds of collaboration that new communication and information technologies enable, but increasingly demand.” Bertram Bruce, “Diversity and Critical Social Engagement: How Changing Technologies Enable New Modes of Literacy in Changing Circumstances”

Recommendation: Becoming smarter about new sources of information. “ In an age of overflowing information and proliferating media, kids need to rapidly process what's coming at them and distinguish between what‘s reliable and what isn't.” Recommendation: Becoming smarter about new sources of information. “ In an age of overflowing information and proliferating media, kids need to rapidly process what's coming at them and distinguish between what‘s reliable and what isn't.” December 10, 2006

Media literacy In The Social Studies Classroom: Applying 21 st Century Literacy & Inquiry What do we want students to know about the media?

Media literacy In The Social Studies Classroom: Applying 21 st Century Literacy & Inquiry 87% of U.S. teens between 12 and 17 years of age use the Internet; 87% of U.S. teens between 12 and 17 years of age use the Internet; 81% of teen Internet users play games online; 81% of teen Internet users play games online; 76% get news online; 76% get news online; 51% of teen Internet users say they go online on a daily basis; 51% of teen Internet users say they go online on a daily basis; 43% have made purchases online; and 43% have made purchases online; and 31% use the Internet to get health info 31% use the Internet to get health info

Media literacy In The Social Studies Classroom: Applying 21 st Century Literacy & Inquiry “Our students are growing up in a world saturated with media messages…yet, they (and their teachers) receive little or no training in the skills of analyzing or re-evaluating these messages, many of which make use of language, moving images, music, sound effects.” Source: R.Hobbs, Journal Adult & Adolescent Literacy, February 2004 “Our students are growing up in a world saturated with media messages…yet, they (and their teachers) receive little or no training in the skills of analyzing or re-evaluating these messages, many of which make use of language, moving images, music, sound effects.” Source: R.Hobbs, Journal Adult & Adolescent Literacy, February 2004

Media Literacy “Our Founding Fathers understood that a democratic republic could not survive without an informed and participatory citizenry….It is essential in our citizenship role to view critically, analyze ask powerful questions and draw our own conclusions. Media literacy, then, is essential to the citizenship role.” “Our Founding Fathers understood that a democratic republic could not survive without an informed and participatory citizenry….It is essential in our citizenship role to view critically, analyze ask powerful questions and draw our own conclusions. Media literacy, then, is essential to the citizenship role.” Denee Mattioli, past president, NCSS Denee Mattioli, past president, NCSS

Media literacy Draft your own definition of what “media literacy” means..

Media Literacy Media literacy is concerned with helping students develop an informed and critical understanding of the nature of mass media, the techniques used by them, and the impact of these techniques. More specifically, it is education that aims to increase the students' understanding and enjoyment of how the media work, how they produce meaning, how they are organized, and how they construct reality. Media literacy also aims to provide students with the ability to create media products. Media literacy is concerned with helping students develop an informed and critical understanding of the nature of mass media, the techniques used by them, and the impact of these techniques. More specifically, it is education that aims to increase the students' understanding and enjoyment of how the media work, how they produce meaning, how they are organized, and how they construct reality. Media literacy also aims to provide students with the ability to create media products. Source: Ontario Ministry of Ed. VIDEOVIDEO

References to media in SC SS Standards Grade 7 Grade 8 Grade 9 the role of TV satellites, computers, and the Internet; the role of propaganda in influencing the US to enter WWI the rise of mass media..... emergence of the consumer culture Economics: the influence of advertising on consumer choices

Ideas for Social Studies: Analyzing editorial cartoons Analyzing editorial cartoons Examining historical photographs Examining historical photographs Studying past/present propaganda Studying past/present propaganda Understanding bias/stereotypes Understanding bias/stereotypes History of American broadcasting History of American broadcasting Understanding US communications policy Understanding US communications policy Analyzing political advertising Analyzing political advertising

Critical Inquiry Who created/paid for the message? Who created/paid for the message? Why was it produced? (purpose) Why was it produced? (purpose) For whom? (target audience) For whom? (target audience) What techniques are used? What techniques are used? What lifestyles are promoted? What lifestyles are promoted? Who benefits? Who benefits? What does it mean? What does it mean? Who/what might be omitted and why? Who/what might be omitted and why? Does it contain bias/stereotypes? Does it contain bias/stereotypes?

One of the casualties of war is truth Author unknown

Reuters Recalls Altered Photo & Fires the Photographer PhotoShop Original PhotoShop Original

Edward R. Murrow in the classroom Buchenwald

Political Advertising Research shows (voters) get more information on the issues from political ads on TV than they get from TV news or the debates

Language of TV/Film Cameras Cameras Lighting Lighting Set Design Set Design Sound & Music Sound & Music Editing ( post production) Editing ( post production) Makeup, Wardrobe, Expressions Makeup, Wardrobe, Expressions

Examples Cell phone ad script adscriptadscript Visa ad Notice: settting, time of day, expressions, music, subtext ad

Let’s watch some ads: Focus for viewing: Setting Target audience

Newspaper Activity Each group gets a newspaper Each group gets a newspaper Using TV news script format, write a 30 second news promotion Using TV news script format, write a 30 second news promotion using: using: 1 international news story 1 national news story 1 regional or local news story 1 weather or sports

Media literacy In The Social Studies Classroom: Applying 21 st Century Literacy & Inquiry Frank W. Baker Media educator